Stefano Nicolini joined in the discussion, during the Monte Carlo Conference, around the rise in investment in insurance-linked securities (ILS). After the catastrophe-heavy first quarter of 2011, particularly the affects of the Japanese earthquake, many felt the necessity to spend on increased industry loss warranties (ILW) and as Stefano commented, the price rose in correlation with demand. However, he added that post-Hurricane Irene demand has slowed somewhat and prices had begun to flatten out.

Since 2006 the Medical Professional Liability (MPL) market has become increasingly competitive, but it remains both healthy and profitable, particularly when compared to other casualty lines. The key challenge faced by the Physician Insurers Association of America (PIAA) member companies is whether they can reverse the declining trend in profitability before the market hits the unprofitable levels experienced in the early 2000’s.

BMS’s recent analysis looks at the results of PIAA member companies (who make up more than 50% of the MPL market) from 2001 – 2010 to look at where results have been and where they might be heading.

Independent global broker BMS Group today announces that it is continuing to invest in its analytics business with the appointment of two industry experts:

Julie Serakos, Executive Vice President, Catastrophe Modelling

Mike Larson, Executive Vice President and Actuary for BMS Intermediaries

Julie will join BMS this week to lead the Catastrophe Modelling department. She joins from Willis Re where she built up the company’s catastrophe risk modelling and advisory services business becoming the Executive Vice President in their Property Resource Division.

Eric Hubicki, VP Reinsurance – P&C & Jim Botsis, VP Reinsurance – P&C, featured in the September edition of Global Reinsurance magazine reviewing the relief on offer to (re)insurers and farmers during the worst periods of drought in American History. This exceptional drought period means that reinsurers need to calculate the losses that have been incurred and this is often a difficult number to define. There is however a faint ray of hope in the use of GM crops and the potential for underwriter profit later in the year.

Tim Paske comments on the soft blue & brown water prices, within Reactions’ Marine Lines debate. Marine insurance has been hit by soft market rates and the effects of a global drop in trade on the shipping industry, leaving insurers under pressure battling to make a profit.

BMS is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Thomson Reuters ILW chatroom. From 1 September 2011, the chatroom will provide daily comment, opinion and latest price action as the North Atlantic Hurricane season enters its most active period. The chatroom will be open to all members of the Thomson Reuters ILS Community and will also provide a forum within which participants from across the market can exchange their views.